Katrina Fanning Shield: Round 18 Preview

Round 18 of the Blumers Lawyers Katrina Fanning Shield sees three intriguing matchups including a potential finals preview at NSWRL HQ Bruce. 

Belconnen United Sharks vs Woden Valley Rams, Saturday 22 August, NSWRL HQ Bruce, 10:40am 

The Belconnen United Sharks welcome the Woden Valley Rams to NSWRL HQ for an exciting pre finals matchup between two quality sides. 

The Sharks enter this weekend after a comprehensive victory against the defending premiers in the West Belconnen Warriors which will be sure to provide them with a major confidence boost ahead of their finals campaign, with their opponents this weekend another team they will meet in September. 

Meanwhile, the Woden Valley Rams enter this weekend's match after a strong victory away from home against the Bulls which saw them rise to third on the competition ladder. 

The battle between the respective fullbacks will be one you won't want to miss, with Eliza Taylor entering the contest with 26 tries for the season, whilst her opposite number Lara Cosgrove sits in second with 17. 

The Rams and Sharks have met twice this season already with the ledger split at one a piece, Belconnen United winning in round nine before Woden Valley securing a two-point victory in round 13. 

Tuggeranong Bushrangers vs Queanbeyan Blues, Saturday 22 August, 10:40am, Greenway Oval 

The Queanbeyan Blues travel to Greenway Oval to take on the Tuggeranong Bushrangers on Saturday morning. 

Tuggeranong enter round 18 fresh off the bye last weekend and will be looking to overturn a recent drop in form, with their last victory coming back in round seven against the Yass Magpies. 

For the Blues, they suffered a disappointing defeat last weekend against the Yass Magpies and will need to replace the attacking ability of Courtney Mapleson who suffered an injury in the contest. 

These two sides have met each other once previously this season with the Queanbeyan Blues claiming a commanding victory in round nine, 30-4. 

Gungahlin Bulls vs Yass Magpies, Saturday 22 August, 12:00pm, Gungahlin Enclosed Oval

The Yass Magpies will look for two straight victories this weekend as they travel to Gungahlin to take on the Bulls. 

The Yass Magpies will bounce into this weekend after an impressive victory at home against the Queanbeyan Blues last weekend, they will be looking for a similar performance from Jenna Cooke who starred last weekend scoring a hat-trick. 

Whilst, for the Bulls a disappointing performance last week will be fresh on their minds, suffering a forty-point defeat at the hands of the Rams, with Gungahlin needing to regroup ahead of their finals campaign. 

The previous matchup between these two sides saw the Gungahlin Bulls cruise to a fourteen-point victory at Walker Park, with fullback Abbie Bailey key on that occasion. 

Image by Trisha Sullivan